Horsham (VIC) council rates — what you pay and when

Rates & fees

Rates pay for most council services. In Victoria, the state sets a yearly cap on how much a council can raise its average rates and municipal charge. For 2026–27 the cap is 2.75%, and Horsham's budget raises its general rates and municipal charge within it. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more, depending on how your property's value moved compared with others. Bin service charges aren't capped; for 2026–27 the urban bin service charge rises $15 to $558.

New to these terms? Read them in plain English

Pensioner rebate: A discount on rates for eligible pensioners.

See the full explainer, with formulas →

Rates at a glance

2026–27 rate rise: General rates and municipal charge: +2.72% in total (cap 2.75%)The budget's rate table (section 5.1.1) puts the combined increase in general rates and the municipal charge at 2.72%, below the 2.75% cap. The budget's base average rate is $2,300.76 and its capped average rate $2,363.25 per rateable property, across 12,907 assessments.Budget 2026-27 (PDF) →
How your rates are calculated: Capital Improved Value × rate in the dollar, plus a $200 municipal charge2026–27 general rates as a percentage of CIV: residential, commercial and industrial 0.36540%; farm 0.21160%; cultural and recreational land 0.18270% (budget section 5.1.1(n)). Compared with 2025–26 the residential rate in the dollar fell 4.69% and the farm rate rose 5.06%, after residential values rose 8.06% and farm values fell 1.31%. Under its Revenue and Rating Plan the council sets the share of total rate revenue paid by farms (32.94% for 2026–27). The municipal charge is unchanged at $200; farmers running several properties as one enterprise can apply to pay it once.Rates and charges →
Bin service charges (2026–27): Urban bin service $558; rural bin service $388 a yearUp from $543 and $378. Extra bins are $157 each (general waste, recycling or organics) and $90 for glass. The commercial bin service is $539. These service charges aren't covered by the rate cap; the council says waste costs have grown with the EPA landfill levy and the four-bin rollout.Waste charges →
When it's due: 4 instalments: 30 Sep 2026, 30 Nov 2026, 1 Mar 2027, 31 May 2027 — or in full by 15 Feb 2027If the first instalment isn't paid by its due date, you must pay the full amount by 15 February 2027. Pay by BPAY, Post Billpay (card, online), at any Australia Post office, or at the Civic Centre, 18 Roberts Avenue. Notices can be emailed via hrcc.enotices.com.au.Due dates and payments →
Interest on overdue rates: Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a year (Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983); check your noticeThe council says it charges penalty interest on unpaid rates and charges under the Local Government Act 2020 and the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983. Unpaid rates remain a debt on the property; if they stay overdue for more than three years without an arrangement, the council may seek a court order to sell the land.
Pensioner concession: Up to $372.70 off your rates on your principal place of residenceFor holders of a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (TPI, War Widow, EDA or POW). The budget says $50 of this is funded by the council on top of the state rebate. Apply once with the council's form and a copy of your card.Pensioner concession →
Financial hardship: Flexible payment arrangementsContact the rates team on 03 5382 9777 to discuss what you can afford and how often you can pay.Financial hardship →
Also on your notice: ESVF: Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund — a state levyThe council collects it for the Victorian Government. It replaced the Fire Services Property Levy on 1 July 2025. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap. ESVF support line: 1300 819 033.About the ESVF →

The figures above come from the 2026–27 budget (section 5.1.1), whose introduction is dated 15 June 2026 and which the council's September 2026 release on The Wesley calls its 'adopted 2026/27 Budget', and from the council's Rates and Charges page. The council's separate bin-request page still lists the 2025–26 bin charges (checked Sep 2026); the budget and the Rates and Charges page give the 2026–27 figures. Check your own notice for your figures.

Sources — check it yourself

Figures are current as at the dates shown and may change — always confirm with the linked source. See the notice at the bottom of the page for full details and how to report a correction.